How to Fix HP Printer Printing Slowly

A slow HP printer is usually a settings issue — not a hardware problem. These fixes typically restore normal print speed quickly.

Fix 1: Switch to Draft or Normal Quality Mode

High-quality and Best photo mode print slowly by design. For everyday documents:

1. When printing, click Print Properties
2. Under Print Quality, select Fast Draft or Normal
3. This can increase speed by 3–5x

Fix 2: Disable "Print in Maximum DPI" (HP OfficeJet/ENVY)

1. In printer preferences, click Advanced
2. Uncheck Print in Maximum DPI
3. Click OK

Fix 3: Check USB vs. WiFi

USB connections are generally faster and more reliable than WiFi for large print jobs. If the printer is on WiFi and printing slowly, try connecting via USB temporarily to compare.

Fix 4: Update the Printer Firmware

1. On the printer's control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Update the Printer
2. Or use HP Smart app to check for firmware updates
3. Outdated firmware can cause throughput issues

Fix 5: Increase RAM on LaserJet Printers

HP LaserJet printers process complex documents in RAM. If the printer is printing one page at a time and pausing (called "memory overflow"), upgrading RAM or reducing print resolution helps.

Fix 6: Disable HP Smart (Windows)

HP Smart's background processes occasionally slow down print job transmission. Disabling it from startup can improve speed.